How to Plan a 3-Week Italy Itinerary

Italy offers lots to explore during a 3-week trip. Read this article to consider our travel suggestions tailored to a 3-week itinerary.

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Are 3 Weeks Enough for an Italy Trip
1. Italy North-to-South Itinerary

2. Cultural Highlights and the Amalfi Coast
3. Italy and Greece Itinerary

Are 3 Weeks Enough for an Italy Trip?

A 3-week duration is adequate for a comprehensive tour of Italy. You have multiple choices for a 3-week journey across Italy.

Three weeks is a good length of time to experience the highlights of almost all of Italy's renowned cities from north to south.

You could also choose to travel at a slow pace for a more in-depth experience, such as staying in a peaceful countryside town or a grape manor in Tuscany to experience grape picking, wine making, wine tasting, matsutake picking, and other activities.

Alternatively, if you are interested in other European countries, 3 weeks are fine for a cross-border trip including Italy. Nearby Greece, Switzerland, France, and Croatia are popular destinations to travel to combined with Italy.

1. 3-Week Italy North-to-South Itinerary

Week 1: Venice and Florence

Days 1–2: Venice
Day 3: Transfer to Florence
Days 4–6: Florence
Day 7: Transfer to Rome

Week 2: Rome and the Amalfi Coast

Days 8–9: Rome
Day 10: Transfer to the Amalfi Coast
Days 11–13: The Amalfi Coast
Day 14: Transfer to Sicily

Week 3: Sicily

Days 15–20: Sicily
Day 21: Departure

This itinerary is rich in experiences and makes the most of your time when seeing the essential attractions of the most famous destinations in Italy. You would explore Italy's history, culture, coast, and islands.

In the first week in Venice and Florence, city walking tours are recommended for an understanding of each city's architectural features, streets, the local people, and the food.

There are also some special features of the respective cities that must be tried, such as taking a gondola ride in Venice and learning about the Renaissance at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.

In the second week in Rome, visit the famous Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, and many beautiful squares. Drive along the Amalfi Coast to view the stunning coastline and explore the seaside towns.

In the last week, you could immerse yourself in Sicily's natural beauty, the ancient Greek ruins, and the friendly local people. Discover its age-old heritage, from the majestic cathedrals of Palermo to the dazzling mosaics of Monreale. Climb the slopes of the Etna volcano, sensing the fiery pulse of the earth.

Our tours are customized and can be created based on your interests and requirements. Feel free to contact us.

2. 3 Weeks in Italy — Cultural Highlights and the Amalfi Coast

Days 1–4: Rome
Day 5: Transfer to Florence
Days 6–9: Florence
Day 10: Transfer to Venice
Days 11–13: Venice
Day 14: Transfer to Naples and the Amalfi Coast
Days 15–18: The Amalfi Coast
Days 19–21: Back to Naples or Rome to explore further and depart Italy

If you are mainly interested in exploring Italy's main cities and want a relaxed pace, you could refer to this itinerary.

This itinerary would focus on historical and cultural exploration in the main cities and towns. You would spend more time than usual in each city for a more in-depth exploration or free exploration.

Besides the regular sightseeing in Rome, visit a local market and learn to cook local dishes. If you are active travelers, you could also explore the Appian Way (one of Europe's earliest superhighways) by bike. In Florence, if you are a foodie, consider taking part in a pizza and ice cream cooking class and head to nearby countryside towns to enjoy a wine tour. We could also arrange a private romantic dinner in a winery for you. In Venice, you could have more time to explore other islands.

Drive along the Amalfi Coast and you would have more time to explore the seaside fishing villages. When heading back to Naples for your Italy departure, you could choose to pay a visit to Pompeii, or you could go to Rome for your international flight with some free time for further sightseeing there.

3. 3-Week Italy and Greece Itinerary

If you want to use your 3 weeks to explore more than one country, you could check out this itinerary.

2 Weeks in Italy

Days 1–3: Rome
Days 4–7: The Amalfi Coast
Days 8–11: Florence
Days 12–14: Venice

1 Week in Greece

Days 15–17: Athens
Day 18: Mykonos
Days 19–21: Santorini

This itinerary would allow you to experience the highlights of Italy and Greece, being especially suitable for first-timers. We usually suggest allocating 2 weeks for Italy and 1 week for Greece.

In Italy, a 2-week trip would allow you to fully enjoy its iconic cultural and historical heritage as well as some famous Amalfi coastline views. Experience the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Uffizi Gallery, and Venice's gondola boat rides, all at a travel pace that is comfortable.

In Greece, we suggest combining Athens with two awesome islands — Mykonos and Santorini. In Athens, explore the must-visit Acropolis, seeing several history-filled buildings and structures, and pay a visit to the city center for its Hellenic Parliament, National Library, and Presidential Mansion.

In Mykonos, take a boat trip to the nearby island of Delos, an archaeological site with ancient ruins. If you are fond of vibrant nightlife, you could explore some beach clubs, bars, and nightclubs there.

With the last stop in Santorini, seek out its charming blue-domed churches and breathtaking views of the Oia Caldera. Explore the peaceful village of Megalochori, and relax at the enchanting Perissa Black Sand Beach.

Transfers from Athens to the islands and island to island are usually by flight or ferry. But you should note that ferry availability decreases significantly during Greece's low season from November to March. If you expect a fast and comfortable transfer, flying is recommended.